SNYDER—Western Texas College will host a Farm and Ranch Expo at The Coliseum Annex at 900 E. Coliseum Drive in Snyder on March 24.
The Expo will highlight the college’s new Farm and Ranch Management Program and offer a space for students, farmers and ranchers to learn from experts in agricultural research and agriculture industry. The new program gives students training in the agricultural industry in areas such as animal reproduction, crop science and range management. Job opportunities for graduates include ranch manager, agriculture technician, agricultural production manager and field representation in agribusiness.
“We developed the Farm and Ranch Management program so that students can learn in an engaging, hands-on way,” WTC president Dr. Barb Beebe said. “We’re connecting agriculture students with exciting, new pathways, and West Texas farmers and ranchers with a new avenue to acquire great employees.”
The expo will offer tours of the newly renovated Agricultural Science Complex with transportation provided by VIP Sports Getaway. WTC’s recruiters and program instructors will be present to answer any questions about the program.
“We decided early on that we needed more than just a recruiting event,” said WTC’s Title V project coordinator Jeffrey Martin. “We wanted to raise scholarship funds for our Farm and Ranch Management Program while providing a learning event for our agricultural community.”
WTC engaged wildlife and agricultural experts to give live demonstrations and speak with West Texas students, farmers and ranchers. The Snow Day Expo offers up to three Continuing Educations Units (CEUs). Speakers include Dr. Calvin Trostle, STEM in agriculture/small grains: sorghum and wheat; Dr. Peter Dotray, weed control in cotton; Dr. Ron Gill, livestock handling demonstration; Dr. Ron Kendall, disease in wild bobwhite quail and treatment solutions; and Mike Valentine, Miller Ranch black angus program through 44 Farms. The Farm and Ranch Expo is going to be an event for potential students as well as area farmers and ranchers.
The Farm and Ranch Expo kicks off the morning of March 24 with a complimentary chuck wagon breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch before the afternoon events. Meals will be provided by Fiddle Fire Catering.
To register for the March 24 Expo and to see the full schedule, visit wtc. edu/farmexpo. Admission to the Expo is free. To raise scholarship funds for the program WTC will host the Red Dirt Soirée, a ticketed steak and shrimp dinner, on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. in The Coliseum.
WTC alum, 1988 World Champion All-Around Cowboy and RFD-TV Rodeo color analyst Dave Appleton will host the event and photographer Wyman Meinzer will be the special guest speaker. The evening will end with dancing and music from Jody Nix. Ticket sales for the Red Dirt Soirée are limited. Single tickets are $65 each. Tables of eight are available for $400. To purchase tickets for the Red Dirt Soirée, call Christylee DeBlieck at 574-6572 or 829-7211 or email cdeblieck@wtc.edu. Organizers are seeking sponsors for the Farm and Ranch Expo.
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